The New York Jets aren’t the only ones ready to move on from Aaron Rodgers.
According to FOX Sports insider Jay Glazer, the Jets told Rodgers they don’t plan on bringing him back for the 2025 season. If that’s the case, the 41-year-old must decide whether to retire or seek a new team for his 21st season.
On Monday’s Good Morning Football, Kyle Brandt noted that the subject of Rodgers feels “very personal” to him because his sports media career took off around the same time the quarterback began playing for the Green Bay Packers. He likened it to following a band before they garnered mainstream success.
However, Brandt thinks the four-time MVP should consider hanging up his cleats.
“I loved watching him. I loved studying him,” Brandt said of Rodgers, via On3. “I’ve gotten to talk to him. Even through controversial or dark times, I was always fascinated. I personally am ready to be done watching Aaron Rodgers play football.”
Brandt believes Rodgers wants to ride off into the sunset after a Super Bowl triumph like John Elway or Peyton Manning. But not everyone gets that storybook ending.
“Sometimes they go out like Steve Young, and sometimes they go out like Joe Montana,” he said. “You don’t always get carried off.”
Although Rodgers didn’t make a postseason return, he threw his 500th career touchdown in Week 18. The 10-time Pro Bowler played every game after an Achilles tear wiped out his 2023 campaign. Perhaps that’s a better ending than he’ll get if he keeps playing.
“His body’s already been broken,” Brandt added. “He has all the MVPs. He’s a Super Bowl champion. We’re gonna have this pipe dream about the Steelers or the Raiders, and it’s this one last thing to chase, something that I don’t even know what that thing is. As a fan of his, I’m ready to be done seeing it.”
Brandt compared Rodgers to Jim Carrey, reading from the actor’s Wikipedia page that he returned to voice a character in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 after previously declaring he’s “done enough” and is considering retirement unless offered a “really important” script.
Brandt must see the Steelers and Raiders more like Sonic than Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
“You’re too big. You’re too good. You’ve accomplished too much,” Brandt advised Rodgers. “You have enough. You’ve done enough. You are enough. Go off and enjoy the next stage of life, whatever the hell that’s going to be. Whatever you want. You’ve earned it. As a lifelong fan, I’ve seen enough.”
